MUSIC REVIEWS

The art of being a rock band in a modern music industry generally means conforming to an idea that the masses have of what you should be; as rock slowly grows away from being one of the undeniably biggest genres in the world, weaning in favor of hip-hop, pop, and …

It’s been quite the journey for Kimberlye Gold, starting with the release of her debut album back in 2004. She’s navigated through what would eventually become three unique eras in the history of pop music to come out on the other side of things sounding a lot more focused than …

Michigan native Elysia Marie has long since relocated to Chicago pursuing musical success, but she’s a citizen of the world. There’s nothing regional about her music despite Elysia Marie’s deep and highly visible involvement in the Windy City’s musical scene. Her latest single “Strong and Beautiful” is just one color …

Central Illinois’ Frames calls their music “power pop” and their new single “Peach Pit” bears that out. It’s a compelling mix of stylized guitar, a strong backbeat, a steady yet understated rhythm section attack, and personal lyrics. The latter quality of the new single is one of its chief selling …

To say that it’s not very often that an indie single enjoys the buzz that Sarah Diamond & The Soul Miners “Doin Whatcha Doin” is receiving today might be the understatement of the year, but that isn’t stopping country music buffs from singing the burgeoning songwriter’s praises this year.. Influenced …

Lisa Marie Claire has a poet’s soul. The singer/songwriter takes her cues from the tradition established by such artistic luminaries as Joni Mitchell, but it misses the point to stop there. She does what any talented artist, musical or otherwise, sets out to do – use their influences as a …

Ashville, North Carolina’s Tan Universe is a trio self-described as “surfedelic garage-punk”. It may sound silly until you hear their music. Their new single “Lil Cowgirl” lives up to its billing. Listeners may strain, however, to hear the surf in Tan Universe’s music. Daniel O’Grady, however, has an unshakable vision …

From its first moments, Pete Price’s new debut record The Department of the Interior enters the room like a gust of fresh air. Ripe, crisp rock instrumentals greet listeners with a rush of energy as “Diamonds in the Sky” opens with guitar work that feels comparable to a lightning bolt. …

Xoe Miles’ new single “Where Do We Go?” is the latest work from the alt-pop singer/songwriter and her self-taught talents are in full bloom. Miles’ commitment to writing her own material reflects her undimmed passion for creative expression. It has expanded to producing and engineering her work as well. “Where …

In their haunting new single “Bearing Swords,” darkly melodic outfit Cedars experiments with the limits of melodicism in a way that brings to mind some of the gods of synth-rock crossover music, and yet the metallic fitting that comes into play roughly halfway through the track winds up being the …